The Most Unusual Mailboxes In The Neighborhood

Trending | 8/8/19

Buildings all around the world all have one thing in common. Each of them has their own mailbox. While most are standard ones that come with the place, some people choose to spice theirs up.

Mailboxes are what you make of them. Even though all they’re used for is sending and receiving mail, adding a creative design can show true originality. These are some of the most epic mailboxes that you won’t see every day. Also, if you’re looking to get some mailbox inspiration these are some perfect and unusual examples.

This Mailbox May Eat You

This unique yellow mailbox is located on the island of Ithaca, Greece. It may terrify nearby pedestrians due to the drawn on angry face or it may look like it will chomp off your hand when reaching inside.

a yellow mailbox with an angry face drawn on
Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images
Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images

It could benefit from some fixing up because of the rust at the bottom, but some may argue that the wear and tear gives it more of a grimacing quality. This design is perfect for someone that wants to give their mailbox a new look, but only has a permanent marker on hand.

A Mailbox Turned Into Urban Art

Some mailboxes are prominent in urban areas where street artists like to show off their skills. French artist Christian Guemy found this mailbox in Bayonne, France and decided to add miniature versions of his murals of a bear and a couple embracing.

a yellow mailbox with small murals of a bear and two people embracing
Iroz Gaizka/AFP/Getty Images
Iroz Gaizka/AFP/Getty Images

The addition of art to a local mailbox allows passersby to notice an otherwise ordinary object while walking the streets. This also shouldn’t stop at mailboxes, but can also be applied to things such as trash cans, telephone booths, and storm drains.

Put the Mail in His Mouth

Venice, Italy is known for their historic and picturesque architecture and this mailbox fits well with their aesthetic. It was hand-carved with cement to show a realistic face with a slot where the mouth is that’s open wide for the mail.

a mailbox built into a wall that has a figure carved from cement
Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images
Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images

It exudes true artistry and by not painting it a bold color it blends well with the rest of the building. It’s likely that the mailbox is one of a kind a unique fixture in that area.

This Mailbox is Heating Everything Up

California has some of the most horrific wildfires in the world and the amount has been increasing each year. This is a pink and black flame mailbox in Paradise, California that remains untouched as the house it belongs to is aflame.

a pink and black flame mailbox in front of a burning home
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

This particular wildfire was caused by high winds and low humidity. Although the owners of this house had no way of knowing it would be a victim of the wildfires, it causes the mailbox to stand out even more in the photograph.

This Mailbox Can Be Found Under the Sea

This mailbox is a mermaid’s dream. The people at this Floridian white and teal house transformed their mailbox to perfectly match. It includes a white and teal seahorse with the actual mailbox sticking out of its chest.

a teal house with a white and teal mailbox shaped like a seahorse
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This design goes great for a house that’s close to the beach and it might look nice with even more ocean decorations on the part that sticks out of the seahorse. The makers of this mailbox knew how to make it a grand art piece.

Put the Letters in the Barn

Not all mailboxes need to look perfect and this one is a great example. It’s shaped like a barn, but it’s very off kilter and the paint is significantly worn off. While it may not be in pristine shape, it still gives off a rugged, country vibe.

a red mailbox on a post in the shape of a country barn
Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Seeing that this mailbox is not in great condition means it’s original and it’s highly unlikely that there is another just like it. If you’re thinking of trying this one for your house, it may be a fun idea to add some personalization such as your last name or paintings of barn animals.

This Mailbox Sets Records

Those looking for a mailbox with a world record need to head out to Casey, Illinois. Visitors can go up the stairs that lead to this gigantic mailbox when they arrive. Even though it seems like a big spectacle it’s actually a functioning mailbox where people can mail postcards.

the world's largest mailbox next to a shop on a road
Duncan Rawlinson/Flikr
Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

It measures at 5,743.41 square feet and was created by Jim Brolin. Once people get to the top of the mailbox they are amazed at the scenic views of the quaint Illinois town.

Don’t Have a Cow

The people at this Australian ranch were able to take materials from around their home and craft their own cow mailbox. It’s simple with a rust brown color and fits very well with the surroundings iof the countryside.

a rusty mailbox shaped like a cow in the Australian countryside
Rio Helmi/LightRocket via Getty Images
Rio Helmi/LightRocket via Getty Images

Mailboxes don’t have to look like the typical half-dome shape, so they can be made to resemble almost anything. The simple cow looks great against the landscape of the country and it’s probably a fun surprise for mail delivery people or house guests.

Special Delivery for SpongeBob SquarePants

After being on TV for over 20 years, SpongeBob SquarePants has appeared on everything from cereal boxes, towels, and mailboxes. This special mailbox was inducted into The National Postal Museum at the Smithsonian to teach children about writing, sending, and receiving mail.

allen kane, sharon cohen, and chris karpenko standing next to a spongebob mascot and spongebob mailbox
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Nickelodeon
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Nickelodeon

They were encouraged to visit their local Post Office to send a pre-paid SpongeBob postcard. The National Postal Museum also has numerous exhibits that attract many visitors such as John Lennon’s childhood stamp album, stamps from around the world, and historic mail carriers.

Three Little Birds Pitch by the Mailbox

Mosaic art has been around since the 1500s and it’s still a nice way to decorate around the house. It requires making one single piece of art out by assembling small pieces of colored glass or stone. Some may use it for step stones in a garden or a complex design on the side of a wall.

mosaic mailboxes in blue, green, and yellow with ceramic birds on top of them
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

These homeowners got creative by turning their mailboxes into mosaic masterpieces and went the extra step by adding little ceramic birds atop each one.

A Mailbox Fit for a Royal

Mailboxes can really be anything you make of them and it’s fitting that this castle mailbox is on a street called Child’s Point in Annapolis, Maryland. Something unique about this particular one is that the design fits over the mailbox, so it would most likely work with many others.

a castle-shaped mailbox on a post with six other plain mailboxes in front of trees
Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images
Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images

The castle design definitely stands out next to the black and grey mailboxes to the right and it would be fun to have for a family with young kids. It was also clever to use the front of the mailbox as the castle’s drawbridge.

It’s an Exact Replica!

This mailbox is from Pasadena, California and was made to look exactly like the house at the address. When the mailbox is closed it may be difficult to tell its purpose, but when the right side of the roof is lifted up it transforms into one of the most unique mailboxes in the world.

a mailbox that looks just like the house it belongs to
Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

It was designed by Jim Ipekjian, who has been known for his custom wood work projects since 1972. He and his son Jack work as a woodworking duo and have made beautiful custom wood pieces such as dressers, tables, doors, and desks.

The True American Mailbox

The Fourth of July isn’t the only day to show your patriotism. The owners of this mailbox want to flash red, white, and blue all year round with this original Uncle Sam mailbox. Uncle Sam is one the most famous symbols in the United States.

an uncle sam mailbox on the side of the road
Donovan Reese Photography/Getty Images
Donovan Reese Photography/Getty Images

References of him go back as far as 1775 when he was mentioned in the original lyrics of “Yankee Doodle,” but he became more well known after appearing on posters pointing his finger with the phrase “I Want You For U.S. Army” during World Wars I and II.

Time for School

Houses aren’t the only places with mailboxes. Prince William Country Public School gave their mailbox a makeover by transforming it into a classic school bus. It may not be a groundbreaking design, but it goes perfectly with its location.

a mailbox that's painted to look like a school bus
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The trick to crafting a special mailbox is finding a design that will work well with the shape of the box. Objects such as buses, submarines, a loaf of bread, or a fish all are great examples if you’re feeling stuck.

Even Meerkats Check Their Mail

It’s always funny when animals partake in human activities. This meerkat at the London Zoo is pictured casting a vote for an upcoming election, which is something that isn’t usually seen everyday.

a curious meerkat beside a plastic mailbox mailbox
Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Meerkats are usually seen living in large groups or communities in parts of Africa. They are about the size of squirrels and are known for being able to stand upright. Most of the time meerkats will move from burrow to burrow and create a tunnel-and-room system to stay cool from the heat.

Baby, You Can Drive My Mailbox

This simple, yet classic design of a car on a mailbox causes it to stand out. The creator of this particular mailbox was able to take its initial shape and add some painted wood cut-outs that fit around it.

a teal mailbox in the shape of a classic car on top of a post
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

They also added little details with the wood pieces such as the lights under the handle and the black and white wheels. A car mailbox would be fun to see in front of an auto repair shop or vintage car lot.

A Mailbox Fit for a Pelican

Off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a scenic town called the Isle of Capri. It’s said to be a pretty relaxed suburb with fun shops and restaurants. Residents live there for the riverside lifestyle and fantastic views.

a pelican mailbox on the isle of capri
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Since the Isle of Capri is a beach town, some of their mailboxes need to fit in with the surroundings. One original find is this pelican mailbox. Some nice touches are the orange felt bow and the pine wreath on the post.

The Force Will Arrive in 3-5 Business Days

One way to make sending and receiving mail more worth while is to have the mailbox look like a beloved movie character. During a Star Wars anniversary celebration in Hollywood 400 R2-D2 collectible mailboxes were placed across the United States and Puerto Rico.

a woman dressed as princess leia putting mail into a star wars mailbox with other star wars characters behind her
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Characters such as Princess Leia and the Storm Troopers were all in attendance to promote the R2-D2 mailbox launch. Some famous franchises will use their popularity to raise awareness about important organizations or programs such as the United States Postal Service, while also promoting their brand.

The Delivery of a Lifetime

On May 9, 2000 the Campbell Soup Company made a giant donation of one million pounds of food across the United States. To kick off their Stamp Out Hunger food drive they came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a gigantic mailbox full of Campbell’s soup cans.

a mailman opening a large mailbox full of campbell's soup cans
William Thomas Cain/ Newsmakers/Getty Images
William Thomas Cain/ Newsmakers/Getty Images

It’s important to see large corporations such as the Campbell Soup Company using their funds and media efforts in something charitable. This is also a great way to inspire other businesses to do something similar.

Stop and Smell the Mailbox

There are contests for all sorts of things, but Saint Martin D’Abbat, France has one for the best mailbox. This flower mailbox ended up being one of the finalists. It looks larger than life because it stands over seven feet tall.

a man putting a newspaper inside a heart-shaped flower mailbox
Guy Durand/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Guy Durand/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Some other mailbox design entries included a farmer, cow, an old lady with cats, and a duck. Something that stands out about the flower mailbox is the contrast of the red and green because those two colors are at the opposite ends of the color wheel.